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ZBC management unleashes soldiers on ex-workers

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There were skirmishes at the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation’s Pockets Hill head office in Highlands, Harare, yesterday when a group of ex-workers tried to storm the broadcasting centre to inquire about their packages following their dismissal on three months’ notices.

There were skirmishes at the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation’s Pockets Hill head office in Highlands, Harare, yesterday when a group of ex-workers tried to storm the broadcasting centre to inquire about their packages following their dismissal on three months’ notices.

BY STAFF REPORTER

According to sources, at least one worker was injured after he was allegedly beaten by gun-wielding soldiers and security personnel for reportedly taking pictures at the protected area. He was taken to Parirenyatwa Hospital. According to sources, a report was made at Highlands Police Station. But national police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba referred all questions to the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA).

charity charamba

ZNA spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Alphios Makotore requested questions in writing, promising to respond next week. A former employee who spoke to NewsDay on condition of anonymity said about 30 workers had gone to ZBC to regularise their termination contracts.

“The three months that is indicated on our contracts lapsed yesterday (Thursday) and we had gone really to just find out when we were going to get our terminal benefits, including money for leave days, money for part-timers, as well as the money that was supposed to be reimbursed for the salary cut effected in January 2014,” one worker said.

“We were at the reception and people from the human resources department tried to address us, but as they were talking to us the acting chief executive officer Patrick Mavhura walked in and said he was busy and that we should have made an appointment, but all we wanted was to give him our letters.”

Another former employee said 10 minutes after Mavhura had left, the head of security and a group of soldiers came and ordered them out before assaulting one of the former workers.

“It appeared they knew we were coming and had planned in advance and they told us they owed us 12 days’ salary as they have already given us the three months’ salaries,” the former worker said.

Mavhura and ZBC spokesperson, Gladman Bandama were not reachable on their phones yesterday.